Spring’s on the way (yes we’re buried in snow right now… allow us to draydream), and it’s time to start pulling together your no-fail looks for the upcoming season. This spring fashion’s brightest aren’t taking themselves too seriously, enjoying a bit of distressed denim and a quirky pair of printed jeans. This look by style blog Late Afternoon featuring the Marc by Marc Jacobs Rolled Slim polka Dot Print Jeans proves that a simple look with a punchline can make big impact.

Get the look: 1. Gold cut-out leaf motif bracelet 2. Blank Denim workshirt 3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Rolled Slim polka Dot Print Jeans 4. Bally Iwells Floral Patent Leather Platform Pump

See the full looks below:



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—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: boyfriend jeans, denim workshirt, distressed denim, Marc by Marc Jacobs, printed denim, printed jeans, style blogger, vintage style
Got a cellphone with sharp edges? Or a cellphone that you’ll use for the next three years? We didn’t think so. But you don’t need either of these things if you’ve got a pair of Earnest Sewn’s expertly distressed men’s jeans. Unlike obvious “artistic” distressing you’ll see in some lines, their jeans have subtle, rugged details like a worn-in cell-in-pocket facade and a bit of ripping near the hem. Denim Therapy may be in the business of fixing holes in jeans, but we’re no less impressed when a brand creates good, authentic distressing for the sake of style.


Visit Earnest Sewn to shop men’s denim.
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: Denim Therapy, distressed denim, Earnest Sewn, hole in denim, jeans for men, project show, vintage denim
When we chatted with Kuro Denim at PROJECT NY we were really impressed with the detail and thoughtfulness that we saw in each pair of the Japanese brand’s jeans. They launched with a spring 2010 line under the name Kuro (which translates to black). A blurb in their latest lookbook explains that the name Kuro was chosen because the word represents “darkness and loneliness with an image of great mystery and great strength.” Fabrics include two variations coined Nihon Menpu and Yoshikawa Orimono, and the line comes in a range of fits, from slim tapered to skinny to wide straight.
The real magic is in the detailing and wash of their jeans, our favorite of which looked like they’d been worn lovingly for many years. Artistic, yet modest and clean stitching on the back waistband and “dirty” facades created using fading, distressing, and splashes of paint are just two examples of innovative (but not over-used) approaches we were shown. Some of the jeans are made to look like the factory worker’s jeans, reinforcing the origin of denim as a utility fabric for the working class. After getting up close to the denim, we left feeling like Kuro is a pricey denim brand that delivers a product worth investing in.
We’ll definitely be keeping up with them, so stay tuned. Check out the men’s denim styling tips we picked up from them during this same visit.
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: distressed denim, Japanese denim, KURO denim, men's jeans, mens denim, Project NY
Studs, fringe, ombre, stars & stripes… list these elements in a row and you might imagine the ultimate overkill, but Kill City Jeans has mastered the art of quintessential rock’n'roll. Their denim, 80% of which is manufactured domestically, is shredded, studded, dyed, and treated to appeal to your inner badass. Both sexes are treated to plenty of color and texture (with the colors desaturated and the texture well-played), and more basic washes for days where you don’t feel like dressing for a music video.
The men’s line comes in three basic fits and features wax coats, reverse mineral wash, and distressed yarn-dyed styles. The women’s line is a bit more playful, including (our favorite) purple ombre cut-off shorts, ready to be DIY’d (they even come with a bag of studs). Best sellers like the navajo print and stars & stripes jeans continue to lead the collection, but this is a good place to start if you’re looking to expand way beyond the generic blue jean for spring this year.
Photos by Raffael Flores-Contreras.
Check out Kill City Jeans online.
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: colored denim, denim trends, dip dye, distressed denim, DIY, Kill City Jeans, ombre, project show, spring 2012, studded denim, wax coated jeans
The JFour 2011 Fall/Winter Womens Collection is your go-to when looking for comfortable, everyday denim that you know you can wear this season and on. If you want to take some chances, you can try out the harem-esque cut, but they still have the classic skinny and boyfriend styles available also. We love how the addition of rips and distressing give the jeans a bit more attitude than just any other ol’ pair without being too overwhelming. The light-wash jeans are a great option for pairing with a darker wash jean jacket, like they show here, which is a look that can work all year round—AKA worth it.
Images via Denimology.
—Elyssa Linden
Tags: boyfriend jeans, distressed denim, harem pants, jfour, light wash jeans, ripped jeans, skinny jeans
Need a warm denim jacket for winter that’s stylish and budget-friendly? We found one for you! It’s the Dakota dark-wash denim jacket, available now at Nasty Gal—and it’s on sale for $54.60. Slightly distressed, it features faux shearling collar and trim. It also has a quilted poly lining, so you can keep the cold out, and still look totally rock’n'roll.
—DT Staff
Tags: dark-wash denim jacket, distressed denim, fall jacket, jean jacket, nasty gal, what to buy, what to wear, winter jacket
When it comes to the definition of glam, you can bet that bombshell waves, scarlet polish, and dramatic, gem-encrusted jewelry will be included in the description. Vogue Spain‘s December 2011 “Joyas” supplement has all that and more. Grounded in crisp chambray oxford tops and grainy, dark-wash denim shirts, Charlotte di Calypso avoids looking like she overdosed on decadence. We love the mix of denim with rich, high-waisted bottoms, all thrown under wool overcoats and topped off with structured handbags, tongue-in-cheek hats, and oodles of glittery baubles. It’s fun, flirty, and just the right amount of alluring.
Images via Fashion Gone Rogue
—Brie Hiramine
Tags: Chambray Shirt, december 2011 editorial, denim shirt, distressed denim, Vogue Spain
When looking for great, easy fashion, you don’t have to go any farther than Brooklyn. That’s why we’ve rounded up these options for you to steal this Brooklyn flea market shopper’s style to make it your own. This laid-back weekend look is all you need to for those brisk fall days, when a real jacket is still not needed but warmth is. We mean really–how absolutely cozy does that sweater look? The combination of it with the bright red fringe scarf and distressed skinny jeans create the perfect balance of comfort and fun. We also love how the oversized sweater compliments her fitted jeans and tall black boots. Topping it all off with the chic floppy sun hat is the perfect accessory to not overwhelm the outfit, but rather make it completely put together.
1. J. Crew Fisherman Cable-Knit Sweater ($98) — get it at Net-A-Porter.
2. Modcloth A Crinkle In Time Scarf ($16) — get it at ModCloth.
3. New York & Company Felt Floppy Hat ($15) — get it at New York & Company.
4. 7 For All Mankind Roxanne Jeans ($230) — get them at Repertoire.
5. Boutique 9 Floyd Tall Boots ($240) — get them at Macy’s.
Image via Mr. Newton.
—Elyssa Linden
Tags: 7 for All Mankind, Boutique 9, brooklyn, brooklyn flea market, cable knit sweater, distressed denim, floppy hat, J. Crew, Macy's, New York & Company, oversized sweater, red scarf, skinny jeans, tall black boots
We dropped by the Moussy NY pop-up shop in the meatpacking district the other day to have an up-close look at what the brand is offering up for fall and winter fashion and fierce holiday shopping. The shop is only open in its current location through Black Friday, so we wanted to make sure you, dear readers, got the inside scoop one what you need to get over there to snatch up before the doors close! They’ll be announcing their permanent location in the coming weeks, but only good can come of early holiday shopping. So, we’ve rounded up six awesome picks from the Moussy line that you can gift to your most stylish comrades, from pop-color accessories to animal print jeans, and hints of rock’n'roll to adorn your fingers.
Check out our top picks below!
Leopard Print Pants, Blk/Brown, Available sizes: 1 & 2, $160.00
Dirty CRUSH SHORT PT, Grey, Available sizes: 0,1,&2, $89.00
“Chunky Fusion JK” sweater sleeve vest, Blue, Available sizes: O/S, $150.00
Cross Plate Ring, Gold, Available sizes: O/S, $39.00
Color Riders Denim, Red, Available sizes: 0,1, &2, $140.00
Short Fur Vest, Grey, Available sizes: O/S, $99.00
Slim Python Belt, Red, Available sizes: O/S, $49.00
You can check out MC’s review of the Moussy NY Chemical Blue Wash jeans here, and see the full gallery of our favorite finds below.
Lastly, we can’t forget to give props to the adorable Moussy staff!
Moussy Pop-Up Shop
72 Gansevoort St. at Washington St.
Manhattan, NY 10014; 212-206-8696
Open daily 11am–8pm through Nov 27th
—Michelle Christina Larsen
Tags: animal print denim, animal print jeans, black friday shopping, cut off shorts, destroyed denim, distressed denim, holiday shopping, moussy japan, moussy ny, pop up shop, what to buy
The PRPS Japan line is all about producing quality denim for men (we know ladies, we’re jealous too). It’s easy to call something is “quality denim,” but we have the proof for you right here. You can see how much detail goes into each pair of jeans by the actual creator and owner of the brand, Donwan Harrell. His personal involvement with the design and production is obvious in meticulous planning, wearing, distressing, and detailing—just check the sketches below! These broken-in, working-class inspired jeans have an urban edge and a rock’n'roll quality that makes them hard not to love. After all, they take denim back to its roots, and these particular styles look like they could each be 20 years old. This line is full of staples that are sure to last as your go-to favorites for years to come, gents! Take note.
Images via Denimology.
—Elyssa Linden
Tags: Denim Menswear, design sketches, distressed denim, Donwan Harrell, Japanese denim, long lasting denim, PRPS Japan